Communication, Terminology,
and Abbreviation
Acharaporn Sripusanapan, RN, PhD
Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University
June 8, 2007
Objectives
After completion of this topic, learners should be
able to
• explain the meaning of communication
• list the significance of terminology used in
nursing communication
• give examples of prefix, suffix, and word
root
Meaning & Process
• Communication is the process of
interaction among human beings so that
they can understand each other.
Method of Communication
• Methods of communication can be
classified by language use
– verbal
– nonverbal
• communication skills are partially based
on how much and how well an individual
knows about language and words
particularly in each profession
Aims of Communication
Generally, people communicate with others
for the reasons as follows:
• They want to develop understanding
among each other.
• They want to create actions.
• They want to give and receive information.
Terminology
Composition of terminology
– Roots: an essential component of a word
– Prefixes: the first part of the terminology
components
– Suffixes: always at the end of word
Examples of Root
Roots
Meanings
Examples
abdomin (o)
abdomen
abdominopelvic (abdomen and pelvis)
aden (o)
gland
adenocele (cystic tumor in a gland)
angi (o)
vessel
angiography (x-ray of a vessel)
bili
bile
biliary (pertaining to bile or the gallbladder)
brady
slow
bradycardia (slow heart rhythm)
carcin (o)
cancer
carcinoma (malignant growth)
Examples of Prefix
Prefixes
Meanings
Examples
a (n)-
absence, without
anuria (lack of urine output)
ante-
before, forward
anterior (front of the body)
anti-
against
antibody (immune response to an organism)
bi-
two
bigeminy (occurring in pairs)
dys-
difficult, painful
dysuria (painful urination)
ec-
out of
ectopic (out of place)
end (o)-
inward
endoscope (a device used to examine a body cavity)
eu-
normal, health
euthyroid (normal thyroid function)
Examples of Suffix
Suffixes
Meanings
Examples
-algia
pain
neuralgia (nerve pain)
-ectomy
surgical removal
splenectomy (removal of the spleen)
-itis
inflammation
colitis (inflammation of the colon)
-oma
tumor
blastoma (cancer composed of embryonic cells)
-phob
abnormal fear
agoraphobia (fear of open spaces)
-plasia
growth
hypoplasia (incomplete development)
-plasty
surgical repair
angioplasty (surgical repair of blood vessels)
-plegia
paralysis
paraplegia (paralysis of lower body)
-pnea
breathing
apnea (lack of breathing)
-rrhea
fluid discharge
diarrhea (frequent soft or liquid bowel movements)
Types of Terminology
•
•
•
•
•
Medical and health professions
Equipment
Pharmacology
Numbers, positions, and directions
Body systems including disease,
symptom, surgery, and treatment
Abbreviation
•
•
•
•
•
•
Abbreviation of physical examination
Abbreviation of treatment and nursing
care
Abbreviation of drug
Abbreviation of diagnostic and laboratory
Abbreviation of wards and services
Abbreviation of others